Former champions Gary Russell Jr. and Mark Magsayo, as well as super bantamweight David “Rey” Picasso held virtual media availability on Wednesday to preview their respective bouts that will be part of a PBC on Prime Video lineup Saturday, July 19th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Their fights precede a PBC pay-per-view event on Prime Video headlined by Hall of Fame boxing legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao challenging WBC welterweight champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios. Topping the pre-pay-per-view streaming presentation is the return of the former longtime WBC featherweight champion Russell Jr. as he steps back into the ring to face Hugo Castañeda in a ten-round lightweight showdown. The undefeated Picasso will duel Japanese contender Kyonosuke Kameda in a ten-round affair, while the Filipino power-puncher Magsayo battles Mexico’s Jorge Mata Cuellar in a ten-round junior lightweight attraction opening the show at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT.
These fights lead into the pay-per-view event that, besides the Pacquiao vs. Barrios main event, features three more bouts. WBC 154-pound champion Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora and former champion Tim Tszyu look to eclipse 2024’s bloodiest fight in their championship rematch. Plus, Mexican star Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz meets his hard-hitting countryman Angel Fierro for a second time in a twelve-round junior welterweight duel, while former two-division champion Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Joet Gonzalez kick off the pay-per-view at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with a ten-round featherweight showdown. In addition to being available for purchase on Prime Video, regardless of Prime membership, fans will also be able to continue to access the telecast through traditional cable and satellite outlets as well as PPV.com. Tickets for the live event are on sale now through AXS.com.
Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:
GARY RUSSELL JR.
“It’s great to be back. I’m excited to be able to get back out there. The last time I competed was over three years ago and I’m ready to do what I love doing best.
“Boxing is a lifestyle for me. In my last fight I got injured and still thought I did enough to get the win. I always wanted to come back to the sport. I lost my father and one of my younger brothers, so there was a lot that held me back. I also took time to train my younger brothers. I had to take the time to focus and regroup. Now I’m ready to come back to the sport.
“Life is about overcoming obstacles that come your way. You have to have mental resiliency. I’m glad that I’m strong-minded enough to stay tunnel-visioned.
“Now that I’m competing again, my younger brothers are helping to train me. It’s cool for the dynamics to switch like that. Even a king needs to be open-minded for constructive criticism. I’m using it all as fuel for progression.
“I’m getting the good fight nerves. It’s really more excitement the closer we get to the fight. I’m glad that I’ll be ready to go out there and display my skillset to the world.
“Mark Magsayo says he’s in for a rematch, but his promoters might not be glad he said that. Because it’s real over here.
“We have to decide who’s the best in the area, so that would make Gervonta Davis or Lamont Roach an interesting opponent. I want to figure out who the best is in our area of the country.”
DAVID PICASSO
“I’m just so excited to fight on a card like this. Manny Pacquiao is a boxer who I idolize and who has motivated me to chase my dreams. Fighting before him is a great honor. I know this fight is the most important in my career because I want to fight for the world championship in December.
“I’ve just been training all the time in between every fight. I’m only focused on the fight in front of me, even though I want to fight for the title in December. Kameda is a rangier fighter, so I’ll need to use my movement and still make it exciting.
“This is my second fight in Las Vegas and I know the Mexican fans there love my style. I’m so excited to be fighting in front of those fans.
“All of my life I’ve been preparing to become a world champion. Ever since I was seven-years-old. This fight is everything for me. This can change my life. I have to win this fight.
“Life is full of challenges, but you have to focus on what’s in front of you. July 19 is the most important thing in my life. Once that’s over, we can see what the next step will be. I have to stay mentally focused.
“Every fight is a championship fight for me. Everything is about boxing. When boxing is your life, it’s a true passion. It makes every fight a world title fight.”
MARK MAGSAYO
“When I knew that Pacquiao was coming back, I wanted to be on that undercard and my wish has come true. I’m so excited to get into the ring.
“It’s an honor to be on the undercard of a legend. I can’t wait to showcase my talent and I know that I’m going to be at my best.
“My losses at featherweight were largely because of the weight. I was too dehydrated. I had planned to already move up in weight.
“My coach and I are speaking the same language and he’s taught me a new style and new techniques. I’m very grateful to have Marvin Somodio in my corner.
“I think this will be a toe-to-toe fight. He’s a good fighter so I’m not underestimating him. I’m going to do my best to entertain the fans and if the knockout presents itself, I’ll take advantage.
“I’ll fight anybody in my division. Whichever champion is willing to step up to the plate. Whoever my promoter’s say is available, I’ll be ready for them.
“This is my stepping stone to the next level. I need to win this fight. The next fight I’m looking for is a world title fight.”
